Favicon Maker: The Tiny Icon That Defines Your Browser Tab
A favicon is the small image next to your site's name in browser tabs and bookmarks. It's tiny β usually 32Γ32 pixels β but it shapes how your site is recognized. This guide covers what sizes you need and how modern favicons differ from classic ones.
Favicons started out as a single 16Γ16 .ico file that browsers fetched from the site root. Modern web requires multiple sizes for different contexts β tabs, bookmarks, iOS home screens, Android shortcuts, Windows tiles. A favicon maker generates them all from one source image.
Favicon sizes you need
| Size | Use case |
|---|---|
| 16Γ16 | Browser tab, bookmark |
| 32Γ32 | Browser tab on retina displays |
| 48Γ48 | Windows site icons |
| 180Γ180 | Apple touch icon (home screen) |
| 192Γ192 | Android home screen |
| 512Γ512 | PWA splash screen, store icons |
Design tips
- β’Start with a square source image, ideally 512Γ512 or larger.
- β’Test at 16Γ16 β if it's unrecognizable that small, simplify the design.
- β’Use bold shapes, not fine detail; thin lines disappear at small sizes.
- β’Match brand colors but ensure contrast against both light and dark browser themes.
Extended FAQ
Is .ico still required?
Modern browsers prefer PNG, but .ico is still the safest fallback for very old browsers and some integrations. EllyTools generates both.
Do I need every size?
No β but 16Γ16, 32Γ32, 180Γ180 (Apple), and 192Γ192 (Android) cover 95% of cases.
Are my files uploaded?
No β runs entirely in your browser.